Q4 revenue of $17.2 billion was well ahead of the $16 billion
that analysts expected.

EPS of $2.32 was about 60 cents ahead of expectations.

And for 2012, it sees revenue of $68-72 billion, which is ahead
of expectations of $67 billion.

Projected EPS of $9/25 per share is above the $9 that's
estimated.

As for the total economy, says Caterpillar:

In our opinion, the risk of a worldwide recession has diminished
significantly over the past quarter, but we remain concerned that
central banks, particularly in developed economies, will react to
the first signs of better growth by tightening economic
policies. Even modest premature tightening could
significantly slow economic growth.